LCT 427 PaintingFollowing the successful countrywide appeal for relatives of the crew of LCT 427 to contact SSAC, a memorial service has been arranged for 17th November 2011. So far relatives of nine of the 13 crew have been in touch and many are planning to attend the service at Portsmouth Dockyard. Divers from SSAC and veterans from the LST and Landing Craft Association will also take part in the service.

The memorial service will include a wreath laying at sea at the exact position of the wreck of LCT 427 followed by a short service at St Ann's Church at the Portsmouth Naval Base. All relatives and comrades of the crew are most welcome to take part. Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. asap if you wish to attend.

On her return to Gold beach in the early hours of 7 June 1944, LCT 427 sank with the loss of all hands four miles from her home port of Portsmouth following a collision with another vessel. More than 65 years later, divers from SSAC located and surveyed the wreck of 427 which lies at a depth of 30m in the busy shipping lane approaching Portsmouth and Southampton harbours. Our work to survey the wreck site has been made possible by means of a grant from the British Sub-Aqua Jubilee Trust and the kind permission of the Queen's Harbour Master at Portsmouth.

The memorial service has been made possible by the kind support of the Royal Navy and Chaplain Revd Keith Robus RN.

The Officers & Men of HM LCT 427

ALEXANDER, Frederick B
Ty/Act/Leading Seaman, C/JX 176906 Aged 24

GUTHRIE, George T
Ty/Sub Lieutenant, RNVR, Commanding Officer
CARR, Hallam
Able Seaman, P/JX 365096 Aged 19
JOHNSON, Albert E
Able Seaman, P/JX 323203 Aged 22
DAWE, William A
Stoker 1c, D/KX 525694 Aged 40
SPILLANE, David
Able Seaman, D/JX 368929 Aged 22
FIELDS, Eric
Able Seaman, D/JX 422546 Aged 19
SUMNER, Kenneth W
Wireman, D/MX 99992 Aged 22
FREEMAN, Frank
Ty/Sub Lieutenant, RNVR Aged 20
WELSH, Leonard G
Motor Mechanic, P/JX 426606 Aged 24 (19?) 
GIRARD, Alfred W
Able Seaman, P/JX 223849 Aged 22
WHITFIELD, Joseph W
Act/Chief Motor Mechanic 4c, P/MX 98645 Aged 24
GRAHAM, James
Stoker 1c, P/KX 159134 Aged 37